Multilayer ceramic capacitor

ABSTRACT

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes an external electrode that is unlikely to be peeled. First and second external electrodes each include base layers provided over a ceramic body and including a metal and glass, and Cu plated layers provided over the base layers. The multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a reactive layer. The reactive layer contains about 5 atomic % to about 15 atomic % of Ti, about 5 atomic % to about 15 atomic % of Si, and about 2 atomic % to about 10 atomic % of V.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multilayer ceramic capacitor.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, with the reduction in size and height for electronic devices such as cellular phones and portable music players, wiring boards mounted on the electronic devices have been progressively reduced in size. Accordingly, multilayer ceramic capacitors mounted on the wiring boards have been also progressively reduced in size and height.

As a method for densely arranging multilayer ceramic capacitors on the wiring boards, for example, it is conceivable that multilayer ceramic capacitors are built in multilayer printed wiring boards (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-203735)

In the case of multilayer ceramic capacitors built in multilayer printed wiring boards as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-203735, typically, the outermost layers of external electrodes are composed of Cu plated layers. This is intended to suppress damage to the external electrodes when via holes for the multilayer ceramic capacitors are formed by laser light irradiation.

However, when the external electrodes are composed of a laminate body including a base layer and a Cu plated layer formed over the base layer, there is a problem in that the Cu plating bath dissolves glass of base electrode layers composed of a conductive paste, which are formed under the Cu plated layers, thereby making the external electrodes likely to be peeled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a multilayer ceramic capacitor with an external electrode which is unlikely to be peeled.

A multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a ceramic body, a first external electrode, and a second external electrode. The ceramic body includes first and second principal surfaces, first and second side surfaces, and first and second end surfaces. The first and second principal surfaces extend in the length direction and width direction. The first and second side surfaces extend in the length direction and height direction. The first and second end surfaces extend in the width direction and the height direction. The first external electrode is provided over the first end surface, and over each of the first and second principal surfaces. The second external electrode is provided over the second end surface, and over each of the first and second principal surfaces. The first and second external electrodes each include a base layer provided over the ceramic body and including a metal and glass, and a Cu plated layer provided over the base layer. A multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a reactive layer. The reactive layer preferably includes about 5 atomic % to about 15 atomic % of Ti, about 5 atomic % to about 15 atomic % of Si, and about 2 atomic % to about 10 atomic % of V.

In a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reactive layer is preferably about 2 μm to about 5 μm in maximum thickness.

In a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the glass preferably contains at least one of B₂O₃ and SiO₂, and at least one selected from the group consisting of Al₂O₃, ZnO, CuO, Li₂O, Na₂O, K₂O, MgO, CaO, BaO, ZrO₂, SrO, V₂O₅, and TiO₂.

In a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ceramic body preferably contains BaTiO₃.

A multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is preferably about 0.9 mm to about 1.1 mm in length dimension, about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm in width dimension, and about 0.085 mm to about 0.15 mm in height dimension.

According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, a multilayer ceramic capacitor with an external electrode which is unlikely to be peeled is provided.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along the line II-II.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a modification example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a modification example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a modification example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a modification example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a modification example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a modification example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a modification example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a modification example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional photograph of a reactive layer of a sample prepared according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to examples. However, the following preferred embodiments will be provided merely by way of example. The present invention is not limited to the following preferred embodiments in any way.

In addition, members that have the same or substantially the same functions shall be denoted by the same reference symbols in the respective drawings referenced in the preferred embodiments, etc. In addition, the drawings referenced in the preferred embodiments, etc. are schematically made. The dimensional ratios or the like between the objects drawn in the drawings may differ from the dimensional ratios or the like between real objects. The dimensional ratios or the like between the objects may also differ between the drawings. The specific dimensional ratios or the like of the objects should be determined in view of the following description.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 includes a ceramic body 10. The ceramic body 10 can be formed from, for example, a dielectric ceramic material. Specific examples of the dielectric ceramic material include, for example, BaTiO₃, CaTiO₃, SrTiO₃, and CaZrO₃. With the above ceramic material as a main constituent, accessory constituents such as, for example, Mn compounds, Mg compounds, Si compounds, Fe compounds, Cr compounds, Co compounds, Ni compounds, and rare-earth compounds may be added appropriately to the ceramic body 10, depending on desired characteristics of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

In the present preferred embodiment, the ceramic body 10 is preferably in the form of a cuboid. The “form of a cuboid” herein is considered to encompass cuboids with corners or ridges rounded.

The ceramic body 10 includes first and second principal surfaces 10 a, 10 b, first and second side surfaces 10 c, 10 d, and first and second end surfaces 10 e, 10 f. The first and second principal surfaces 10 a, 10 b each extend in the length direction L and the width direction W. The first and second side surfaces 10 c, 10 d each extend in the length direction L and the height direction T. The first and second end surfaces 10 e, 10 f each extend in the width direction W and the height direction T.

The multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is preferably about 0.9 mm to about 1.1 mm in length dimension. The multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is preferably about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm in width dimension. The multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is preferably about 0.085 mm to about 0.15 mm in height dimension. When the height dimension, length dimension, and width dimension of the ceramic body 10 are referred to respectively as DT, DL, and DW, the condition of DT<DW<DL, ( 1/7)DW≦DT≦(¼)DW, or DT<about 0.15 mm is preferably met.

As shown in FIG. 2, pluralities of first and second internal electrodes 11, 12 that are substantially rectangular are disposed within the ceramic body 10. The first and second internal electrodes 11, 12 each extend in the length direction L and the width direction W. The first internal electrodes 11 are extended to the first end surface 10 e, but not exposed to the second end surface 10 f or the first and second side surfaces 10 c, 10 d. On the other hand, the second internal electrodes 12 are extended to the second end surface 10 f, but not exposed to the first end surface 10 e or the first and second side surfaces 10 c, 10 d. The first internal electrodes 11 and the second internal electrodes 12 are alternately provided at intervals mutually in the height direction T. The ceramic portions 10 g provided between the first internal electrodes 11 and the second internal electrodes 12 can be adjusted to, for example, on the order of about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm in height. The first and second internal electrodes 11, 12 can be adjusted to, for example, on the order of about 0.2 μm to about 2 μm in height.

The first and second internal electrodes 11, 12 can be composed of an appropriate conductive material. The first and second internal electrodes 11, 12 can be composed of, for example, a metal such as Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, and Au, or an alloy containing one of the metals, such as, for example, an Ag—Pd alloy.

A glass layer may be formed on exposed portions of the internal electrodes at the end surfaces 10 e, 10 f. The formation of the glass layer on the exposed portions of the internal electrodes 11, 12 ensure resistance to moisture and plating even when the external electrodes 13, 14 are insufficiently dense, significantly reduce or prevent ingress of moisture from the outside into the ceramic body 10, and improve resistance to moisture and plating.

The first and second external electrodes 13, 14 are provided over the ceramic body 10.

The first external electrode 13 is connected to the first internal electrodes 11. The first external electrode 13 is provided in communication with the first end surface 10 e, and each of the first and second principal surfaces 10 a, 10 b as well as the first and second side surfaces 10 c, 10 d. It is to be noted that the first external electrode may be provided in communication with only the first end surface and at least one of the first and second principal surfaces in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The second external electrode 14 is connected to the second internal electrodes 12. The second external electrode 14 is provided in communication with the second end surface 10 f, and each of the first and second principal surfaces 10 a, 10 b as well as the first and second side surfaces 10 c, 10 d. It is to be noted that the second external electrode may be provided in communication with only the second end surface and at least one of the first and second principal surfaces in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The first external electrode 13 includes a first base layer 13 a and a first Cu plated layer 13 b. The first base layer 13 a is provided over the ceramic body 10. The first base layer 13 a can be formed by firing a conductive paste layer formed by applying a conductive paste.

The first base layer 13 a includes a metal and glass. Examples of the metal included in the first base layer 13 a include, for example, appropriate metals such as Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, Au, and Ag—Pd alloys.

The first base layer 13 a is preferably about 1 μm to about 20 μm in thickness.

The first Cu plated layer 13 b is provided over the first base layer 13 a. The surface of the first Cu plated layer 13 b may be at least partially oxidized. For example, the first Cu plated layer 13 b preferably has ridges oxidized. In this case, when the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is embedded into a wiring board, the oxidized portions and resin of the wiring board are attached through oxygen binding, and the adhesion strength between the first external electrode 13 and the resin wiring board can be thus increased. It is to be noted that the effect mentioned above is greater when the entire surface of the first external electrode 13 is oxidized.

The first Cu plated layer 13 b is preferably about 1 μm to about 10 μm in thickness.

It is to be noted that the first Cu plated layer 13 b may include multiple layers instead of one single layer. As just described, when the outermost layers of the external electrodes 13, 14 are composed of Cu plated films, it becomes possible to use the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 as an electronic component built in a multilayer printed wiring board.

In addition, in the case of embedding the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 into a multilayer printed wiring board, there is a need to provide a via hole for electronic component connection in the multilayer printed wiring board, in order to provide electrical connection to the first external electrode 13. This via hole for electronic component connection is formed with the use of a laser such as a CO₂ laser, for example. In the case of forming the via hole with the use of a laser, the first external electrode 13 of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is directly irradiated with the laser. In this case, when the outermost layer of the first external electrode 13 includes the first plated layer 13 b, the laser can be reflected with a high reflectance. From the foregoing, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is preferred for embedding into a multilayer printed wiring board. When the laser reflectance is low with respect to the first external electrode 13 of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, the laser may reach even the inside of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, and damage the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

The second external electrode 14 includes a second base layer 14 a and a second Cu plated layer 14 b. The second base layer 14 a is provided over the ceramic body 10. The second base layer 14 a can be formed by firing a conductive paste layer formed by applying a conductive paste.

The second base layer 14 a includes a metal and glass. Examples of the metal included in the second base layer 14 a include, for example, appropriate metals such as Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, Au, and Ag—Pd alloys.

The second base layer 14 a is preferably about 1 μm to about 20 μm in thickness.

The second Cu plated layer 14 b is provided over the second base layer 14 a. The surface of the second Cu plated layer 14 b may be at least partially oxidized. For example, the second Cu plated layer 14 b preferably has ridges oxidized. In this case, when the capacitor is embedded into a wiring board, the oxidized portions and resin of the wiring board are attached through oxygen binding, and the adhesion strength between the second external electrode 14 and the resin wiring board is thus increased. It is to be noted that the effect mentioned above is greater when the entire surface of the second external electrode 14 is oxidized.

The second Cu plated layer 14 b is preferably about 1 μm to about 10 μm in thickness.

It is to be noted that the second Cu plated layer 14 b may include multiple layers rather than just one layer.

In addition, in the case of embedding the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 into a multilayer printed wiring board, there is a need to provide a via hole for electronic component connection in the multilayer printed wiring board, in order to provide electrical connection to the second external electrode 14. This via hole for electronic component connection is preferably formed with the use of a laser such as a CO₂ laser, for example. In the case of forming the via hole with the use of a laser, the second external electrode 14 of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is directly irradiated with the laser. In this case, when the outermost layer of the second external electrode 14 includes the plated layer 14 b, the laser can be reflected at a high reflectance. From the foregoing, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is preferred for embedding into a multilayer printed wiring board. When the laser reflectance is low with respect to the second external electrode 14 of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, the laser may reach even the inside of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, and damage the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

Multilayer ceramic capacitors are required to have external electrodes that are unlikely to be peeled. In the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, a reactive layer 20 containing about 5 atomic % to about 15 atomic % of Ti, about 5 atomic % to about 15 atomic % of Si, and about 2 atomic % to about 10 atomic % of V (see FIG. 11) is preferably provided between the ceramic body 10 and the base layers 13 a, 14 a. For this reason, the external electrodes 13, 14 are unlikely to be peeled from the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

It is to be noted that as a cause of the external electrodes being unlikely to be peeled, for example, it is conceivable that when the ceramic body with the base layers formed is immersed in a Cu plating bath in order to form Cu plated layers, glass in the base layers is eluted to decrease the adhesion strength between the base layers and the ceramic body. Therefore, when the reactive layer 20 containing about 5 atomic % to about 15 atomic % of Ti, about 5 atomic % to about 15 atomic % of Si, and about 2 atomic % to about 10 atomic % of V is formed between the ceramic body 10 and the base layers 13 a, 14 a, the reactive layer 20 which has this composition is formed in such a way that a ceramic component of the ceramic body is reacted with a glass component in the conductive paste layers in firing the ceramic body 10. The reactive layer 20 has excellent resistance to acids and alkalis, and has low solubility in Cu plating baths such as a sulfuric acid Cu bath, a pyrophosphoric acid Cu bath, and a cyan Cu bath. For this reason, the adhesion strength between the base layers 13 a, 14 a and the ceramic body 10 is unlikely to be decreased in the case of forming the Cu plated layers 13 b, 14 b. Accordingly, the external electrodes 13, 14 are believed to be unlikely to be peeled on the ceramic body 10.

From the perspective of effective suppression or prevention of peeling of the external electrodes 13, 14 the maximum thickness of the reactive layer 20 is preferably about 0.5 μm to about 5 μm. The external electrodes may be peeled from the ceramic body when the maximum thickness of the reactive layer 20 is smaller than about 0.5 μm, whereas the deflective strength may be decreased because of a decrease in the strength itself of the ceramic body when the maximum thickness of the reactive layer 20 is larger than about 5 μm. The glass included in the ceramic body preferably includes at least one of B₂O₃ and SiO₂; and at least one selected from the group consisting of Al₂O₃, ZnO, CuO, Li₂O, Na₂O, K₂O, MgO, CaO, BaO, ZrO₂, SrO, V₂O₅, and TiO₂.

A method for manufacturing the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is not particularly limited. The multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 can be manufactured, for example, in the following manner.

First, ceramic green sheets are prepared for constituting the ceramic body 10. Next, conductive paste layers are formed by applying a conductive paste onto the ceramic green sheets. The conductive paste can be applied by various printing methods such as a screen printing method, for example. The conductive paste may contain a binder and a solvent besides conductive particulates.

Next, a plurality of ceramic green sheets without any conductive paste layer formed, the ceramic green sheets with conductive paste layers formed to correspond to the first or second internal electrodes, and a plurality of ceramic green sheets without any conductive paste layer formed are stacked in this order, and pressed in the stacking direction to prepare a mother laminate body.

Next, the mother laminate body is cut along a virtual cut line on the mother laminate body to prepare a plurality of raw ceramic laminate bodies from the mother laminate body. It is to be noted that the mother laminate body can be cut with a dicing machine or a pushing machine. The raw ceramic laminate bodies may be subjected to barrel polishing or the like to have ridges or corners rounded.

Next, the raw ceramic laminate bodies are subjected to firing. In this firing step, the first and second internal electrodes are fired. The firing temperature can be set appropriately depending on the types of the ceramic material and conductive paste used. The firing temperature can be adjusted to, for example, on the order of about 900° C. to about 1300° C.

Next, a conductive paste is applied by a method such as dipping to both ends of the fired ceramic laminate bodies (ceramic bodies). Next, the conductive paste applied to the ceramic laminate body is subjected to hot-air drying for 10 minutes at about 60° C. to about 180° C., for example. Thereafter, the dried conductive paste is baked to form base layers. The baking temperature is preferably adjusted to, for example, about 780° C. to about 900° C.

The conductive paste for use in the formation of the base layers includes a metallic powder and SiO₂—B₂O₃-based glass frit, and the glass frit preferably contains, in terms of oxide, SiO₂: about 10 weight % to about 50 weight %, B₂O₃: about 10 weight % to about 30 weight %, and V₂O₅: about 1 weight % to about 10 weight %. The glass frit is preferably contained in about 0.5 weight % to about 10 weight % with respect to 100 weight % of the metallic powder.

It is to be noted that with the conductive paste layers formed in advance on the raw ceramic body, the base layers may be subjected to co-firing with the ceramic body and the internal electrodes.

Thereafter, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 can be completed by forming one or more plated layers on the base layers.

It is to be noted that in regard to the thickness of the reactive layer 20, a cross section was exposed by polishing the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 until the thickness in the width direction was reduced to about ½. This cross section was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the thickness of the reactive layer was measured at three points around the center in the height direction for each base layer per sample. This measurement was made for five samples, and the average value for thicknesses at fifteen points in total was regarded as the thickness of the reactive layer.

SEM Conditions:

Acceleration Voltage: 10 kV

WD: 10.3 mm, ×3000

Now, for example, in such a case as forming an external electrode by firing conductive paste layers formed by a dip method or the like, a portion of the external electrode located on the first principal surface may be different in length from a portion thereof located on the second principal surface. In such a case, the position in the length direction of the thickest portion of the external electrode located on the first principal surface is different from the position in the length direction of the thickest portion thereof located on the second principal surface. Mounting this multilayer ceramic capacitor on a mounting substrate with the use of a mounter increases the possibility that the multilayer ceramic capacitor is cracked.

In this regard, as shown in FIG. 2, the length of the first external electrode 13 in the length direction L is referred to as LE1 as viewed from the second principal surface 10 b. The length of the first external electrode 13 in the length direction L is referred to as LE2 as viewed from the first principal surface 10 a. The length of the second external electrode 14 in the length direction L is referred to as LE3 as viewed from the second principal surface 10 b. The length of the second external electrode 14 in the length direction L is referred to as LE4 as viewed from the first principal surface 10 a. The distance in the length direction L is referred to as LE5 between the thickest portion of the first external electrode 13 located on the second principal surface 10 b and the outermost end of the first external electrode 13 in the length direction L. The distance in the length direction L is referred to as LE6 between the thickest portion of the first external electrode 13 located on the first principal surface 10 a and the outermost end of the first external electrode 13 in the length direction L. The distance in the length direction L is referred to as LE7 between the thickest portion of the second external electrode 14 located on the second principal surface 10 b and the outermost end of the second external electrode 14 in the length direction L. The distance in the length direction L is referred to as LE8 between the thickest portion of the second external electrode 14 located on the first principal surface 10 a and the outermost end of the second external electrode 14 in the length direction L. The ratio of the absolute value of the difference between LE5 and LE6 to the longer one of LE1 and LE2 ((absolute value of difference between LE5 and LE6)/(longer one of LE1 and LE2)) is referred to as A1. The ratio of the absolute value of the difference between LE7 and LE8 to the longer one of LE3 and LE4 ((absolute value of difference between LE7 and LE8)/(longer one of LE3 and LE4)) is referred to as A2.

In the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, A1 and A2 preferably are each about 0.2 or less. For this reason, as can be also seen from the results of the following experimental examples, the ceramic body 10 is unlikely to be cracked in mounting the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 on a mounting substrate with the use of a mounter.

Further, in regard to LE1 and LE3, a cross section is exposed by polishing the first or second side surface 10 c, 10 d of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 until the dimension in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½. The dimensions can be obtained by observing the cross section of the multilayer ceramic capacitor from the second principal surface with the use of an optical microscope, and measuring the length of the external electrode in the center in the width direction W.

In regard to LE2 and LE4, a cross section is exposed by polishing the first or second side surface 10 c, 10 d of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 until the dimension in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½. The dimensions can be obtained by observing the cross section of the multilayer ceramic capacitor from the first principal surface with the use of an optical microscope, and measuring the length of the external electrode in the center in the width direction W.

In regard to LE5 to LE8, a cross section is exposed by polishing the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor until the dimension in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½. This cross section is observed with the use of an optical microscope to specify the thickest portion of the external electrode located on the principal surface. Next, the dimensions can be obtained by measuring the distance between the thickest portion and the outermost end of the external electrode.

The length in the length direction of the portion of the external electrode located on the principal surface can be controlled by the following method. The length in the length direction of the portion of the external electrode located on the principal surface can be controlled by, for example, varying the wettability to the conductive paste on the ceramic body. The wettability to the conductive paste on the ceramic body can be varied by, for example, applying a surfactant, or carrying out plasma treatment or the like.

In this regard, as shown in FIG. 8, any of the following conditions (1) to (5) is preferably satisfied in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

Condition 1

The internal electrode located closest to the first principal surface is preferably composed so that the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is about 0.085 mm or more and about 0.11 mm or less in height dimension, and the ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T of about 1.0% to about 5.0% is met. The target dimensions of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 preferably are about 1.0 mm in length dimension, about 0.5 mm in width dimension, and about 0.10 mm in height dimension.

Condition 2

The internal electrode located closest to the first principal surface is preferably composed so that the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.12 mm or more and about 0.15 mm or less in height dimension, and the ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T of about 1.3% to about 5.3% is met. The target dimensions of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 preferably are about 1.0 mm in length dimension, about 0.5 mm in width dimension, and about 0.15 mm in height dimension.

Condition 3

The internal electrode located closest to the first principal surface is preferably composed so that the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.18 mm or more and about 0.20 mm or less in height dimension, and the ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T of about 1.5% to about 5.0% is met. The target dimensions of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 preferably are about 1.0 mm in length dimension, about 0.5 mm in width dimension, and about 0.20 mm in height dimension.

Condition 4

The internal electrode located closest to the first principal surface is preferably composed so that the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.21 mm or more and about 0.23 mm or less in height dimension, and the ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T of about 1.8% to about 5.9% is met. The target dimensions of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 are about 1.0 mm in length dimension, about 0.5 mm in width dimension, and about 0.22 mm in height dimension.

Condition 5

The internal electrode located closest to the first principal surface is preferably composed so that the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.24 mm or more and about 0.30 mm or less in height dimension, and the ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T of about 1.2% to about 6.0% is met. The target dimensions of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 preferably are about 1.0 mm in length dimension, about 0.5 mm in width dimension, and about 0.25 mm in height dimension.

The multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 preferably meets any of the conditions (1) to (5). For this reason, the ceramic body 10 is reinforced in a preferred manner with the first and second internal electrodes 11, 12, and the stress applied to the ceramic body 10 when the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is mounted with the use of a mounter is effectively dispersed. Accordingly, the ceramic body 10 is more unlikely to be cracked in mounting the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1. Because cracks are unlikely to be generated, the generation of short circuit defects in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is effectively suppressed or prevented.

Now, in firing the raw ceramic body with the conductive paste layers to define the first and second base layers 13 a, 14 a, the conductive paste layers contract more than the raw ceramic body. For this reason, tensile stress is applied to ridges of the ceramic body 10 by contraction of portions of the conductive paste layers located on the principal surfaces, and contraction of portions of the conductive paste layers located on the end surfaces. This tensile stress makes cracks likely to be generated from the ridges of the ceramic body 10.

In this regard, as shown in FIG. 9,

a: the distance in the height direction between the first principal surface and an end in the length direction of an effective portion E that refers to a region where the first internal electrodes 11 and the second internal electrodes 12 are opposed in the height direction T;

b: the distance in the length direction between the first end surface 10 e and the effective portion E in the length direction L;

c: the maximum thickness of a portion of the first base layer 13 a provided over the first principal surface 10 a;

d: the distance in the length direction between a point of the first base layer 13 a over the first end surface 10 c which is furthest from the first end surface 10 c and an end of the first base layer 13 a over the first principal surface 10 a which is closest to the second end surface 10 f;

e: the maximum thickness of a portion of the first base layer 13 a provided over the first end surface 10 e; and

f: the height of the ceramic body 10.

In the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, the ratio (c·d+e·f/2)/(a·b) is preferably 6 or less, for example. For this reason, with the large (a·b), the ridges of the ceramic body 10 undergo an increase in strength. In addition, the tensile stress applied to the ridges of the ceramic body 10 is reduced because the first base layer 13 a is thin with the small (c·d+e·f/2). Therefore, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is unlikely to be cracked from the ridges of the ceramic body 10.

Furthermore, the ratio (c·d+e·f/2)/(a·b) is preferably or more. For this reason, the first base layer 13 a is not excessively thin. Accordingly, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 has excellent resistance to moisture.

The contraction in the case of baking the conductive paste layers is larger than the contraction of the ceramic body in the case of firing. For this reason, tensile stress is likely to be provided by the external electrodes to portions of the ceramic body on which ends in the length direction are located, of the external electrodes located on the principal surfaces. When tensile stress that is equal to or more than a predetermined value in magnitude is applied to the ceramic body by the tensile stress applied by the external electrodes, the ceramic body is cracked from the contact point between the first principal surface of the ceramic body and the end of the external electrode.

In this regard, as shown in FIG. 10, the height of an effective portion E that is a portion of the ceramic body 10 where the first and second internal electrodes 11, 12 are provided is referred to as A in the height direction T. The height of a first outer layer portion that is a portion of the ceramic body 10 located closer to the first principal surface 10 a than the effective portion E is referred to as B in the height direction T. The height of a second outer layer portion that is a portion of the ceramic body 10 located closer to the second principal surface 10 b than the effective portion E is referred to as C in the height direction T.

In the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, the ratios A/B and A/C each preferably falls within the range of about 0.5 to about 16. For this reason, the crack generation in the ceramic body 10 is effectively reduced or prevented which starts from the contact point between the first principal surface 10 a of the ceramic body 10 and the end of the external electrode. As the reason therefor, the following reason is considered. In the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, the ratio of the height of the first and second outer layer portions to the height of the effective portion E is decreased when the ratios A/B and A/C are each adjusted in the range of about 0.5 to about 16. More specifically, the first and second outer layer portions become relatively smaller in height. For this reason, when the ceramic body 10 is subjected to firing, compressive stress applied to the first and second outer layer portions is likely to be increased, due to contraction of the conductive paste layers to define the internal electrodes. For this reason, for example, in the case of baking the external electrodes 13, 14 after firing the ceramic body 10, the compressive stress of the first and second outer layer portions can be increased before baking the external electrodes 13, 14. For this reason, tensile stress is less likely to be applied to the ceramic body 10, even when the conductive paste layers to define the external electrodes 13, 14 are contracted in baking the external electrodes 13, 14. Therefore, the ceramic body 10 is less likely to be cracked. Even in the case of simultaneously carrying out firing for the ceramic body 10 and firing to define the external electrodes 13, 14, tensile stress is less likely to be applied to the ceramic body 10 for the same reason, and thus believed to be less likely to be applied to the ceramic body 10.

From the perspective of effectively suppressing or preventing the crack generation in the ceramic body 10, when the dimension of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in the height direction T is about 50 μm to about 150 μm, the ratios of A/B and A/C each preferably fall within the range of about 0.6 to about 6. When the dimension of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in the height direction T is about 150 μm to about 250 μm, the ratios of A/B and A/C each preferably fall within the range of 2 to 16.

Further, in the following description, t1 to t3 shown in FIG. 11 will be defined as follows.

The maximum thickness of a portion of the first external electrode 13 located on the first end surface 10 e is referred to as t1 in a cross section passing through the center in the width direction W and extending in the length direction L and the height direction T.

The maximum thickness of a portion of the first external electrode 13 located on the first principal surface 10 a is referred to as t2 in a cross section passing through the center in the width direction W and extending in the length direction L and the height direction T.

The thickness of the first external electrode 13 on a line passing through the point of intersection between a tangent line on a corner of the ceramic body 10 and the corner and the point of intersection between a line along the first principal surface 10 a and a line along the first end surface 10 e is referred to as t3 in a cross section passing through the center in the width direction W and extending in the length direction L and the height direction T.

Preferably, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is embedded into a multilayer printed wiring board, and used. In such a case, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 preferably has excellent resistance to moisture, and excellent adhesion to the resin constituting the multilayer printed wiring board.

The inventor has, as a result of earnest study, conceived of the relationships between the shape of the external electrode, and the moisture resistance of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 and the adhesion to the resin. Specifically, the inventor has discovered that the relationships among t1 to t3 control the moisture resistance and the adhesion to the resin.

In the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, the ratio t2/t1 is preferably about 0.7 to about 1.0, and the ratio t3/t1 is preferably about 0.4 to about 1.2. In this case, a multilayer ceramic capacitor is provided which has excellent resistance to moisture, and excellent adhesion to the resin of the multilayer printed wiring board.

An excessively small ratio t2/t1 may result in failure to efficiently ensure the thicknesses of the external electrodes 13, 14 around corners of the ceramic body 10, and ingress of plating solutions, etc., into the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, thus decreasing reliability of resistance to moisture. The excessively large ratio t2/t1 may eliminate the roundness of the external electrodes 13, 14 around corners of the ceramic body 10, and make stress more likely to be concentrated on the corners, thus decreasing the adhesion between the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 and the resin of the multilayer printed wiring board.

An excessively small ratio t3/t1 may result in failure to efficiently ensure the thicknesses of the external electrodes 13, 14 and ingress of plating solutions, etc., into the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, thus decreasing the moisture resistance. The excessively large ratio t3/t1 may eliminate the roundness of the external electrodes 13, 14 around corners of the ceramic body 10, and make stress more likely to be concentrated on the corners, thus decreasing the adhesion between the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 and the resin of the multilayer printed wiring board.

It is to be noted that t1 to t3 can be measured in the following manner.

Method of t1 Measurement

A cross section is exposed by polishing the first or second side surface 10 c, 10 d of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 until the height of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½. The maximum thickness t1 of the portion of the first external electrode 13 located on the first end surface 10 e can be measured by observing the cross section with the use of a microscope.

Method of t2 Measurement

A cross section is exposed by polishing the first or second side surface 10 c, 10 d of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 until the height of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½. The maximum thickness t2 of the portion of the first external electrode 13 located on the first principal surface 10 a can be measured by observing the cross section with the use of a microscope.

Method of t3 Measurement

A cross section is exposed by polishing the first or second side surface 10 c, 10 d of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 until the height of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½. The thickness t3 of the first external electrode 13 on the line passing through the point of intersection between the tangent line on the corner of the ceramic body 10 and the corner and the point of intersection between the line along the first principal surface 10 a and the line along the first end surface 10 e can be measured by observing the cross section with the use of a microscope.

It is to be noted that the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surfaces of the external electrodes 13, 14 is preferably larger than the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surface of the ceramic body 10 in the present preferred embodiment. More specifically, the ratio of (the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surface of the ceramic body 10)/(the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surfaces of the external electrodes 13, 14) preferably falls within the range of about 0.06 or more and about 0.97 or less. In the calculation of the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surface of the ceramic body 10, as a measurement condition, a laser microscope (Product Name: VK-9510) from Keyence Corporation is used at a 100-fold lens magnification in a color ultradeep mode set. The range of measurement with the laser microscope is regarded as a region of 90 μm square including a central portion of the principal surface 10 a of the ceramic body 10. Then, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surface of the ceramic body 10 is regarded as a value calculated on the basis of the surface roughness measured under the measurement condition.

On the other hand, in the calculation of the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surfaces of the external electrodes 13, 14, as a measurement condition, a laser microscope (Product Name: VK-9510) from Keyence Corporation is used at a 100-fold lens magnification in a color ultradeep mode set. The range of measurement with the laser microscope is regarded as a region of 90μm square including a central portion of a portion of the external electrode 13 or external electrode 14 provided on the principal surface 10 a or the principal surface 10 b. Then, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surfaces of the external electrodes 13, 14 is regarded as a value calculated on the basis of the surface roughness measured under the measurement condition.

As described above, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surfaces of the external electrodes 13, 14 is preferably larger than the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surface of the ceramic body. More specifically, the ratio of (the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surface of the ceramic body 10)/(the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surfaces of the external electrodes 13, 14) preferably falls within the range of about 0.06 or more and about 0.97 or less. For this reason, in the case of closely contacting the resin of the multilayer printed wiring board with the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in embedding the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 into the multilayer printed wiring board, the close contact between the external electrodes 13, 14 and the resin in an embedding concave portion for the capacitor, which is provided in the multilayer printed wiring board, can be made stronger than the close contact between the ceramic body 10 and the resin in an embedding concave portion for the capacitor, which is provided in the multilayer printed wiring board. Therefore, gaps are made more unlikely to be produced between the external electrodes 13, 14 and the resin in the embedding concave portion for the capacitor, which is provided in the multilayer printed wiring board. Accordingly, ingress of moisture into the gaps is also suppressed or prevented. As a result, reliability of resistance to moisture is ensured for the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

Further, methods for achieving the configuration as described above include, for example, the following method. The ceramic body 10 with desired arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) can be created by providing the surface of a mold for use in pressing with appropriate surface roughness, if necessary, in the step of pressing the mother laminate body. It is to be noted that methods for adjusting the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at the surface of the ceramic body 10 to desired arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) include a method of applying a physical impact (for example, polishing) to the surface of the ceramic body 10, and a chemical treatment method (for example acid etching).

As shown in FIG. 4, the first external electrode 13 of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is preferably configured so that when the distance from the position of the maximum thickness on the principal surface 10 a of the ceramic body 10 to the position of the maximum thickness on the end surface 10 e of the ceramic body 10 is referred to as a dimension E (hereinafter, which may be referred to as an “E dimension”), whereas the distance from the position of the maximum thickness on the end surface 10 e of the ceramic body 10 to an edge end of the external electrode 13 on the principal surface 10 a of the ceramic body 10 is referred to as a dimension e (hereinafter, which may be referred to as an “e dimension”), the ratio E/e preferably is about 0.243 or more and about 0.757 or less.

The dimension E and the dimension e are measured by polishing, for a cross section, the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in the length direction L until reaching about ½ the dimension in the width direction, and observing the polished surface with an optical microscope. Specifically, the dimensions are measured by the following methods.

(1) Method of E Dimension Measurement

In order to measure the E dimension, the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is polished in the length direction L until the dimension in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½, and the polished surface is subjected to measurement with an optical microscope. Specifically, in regard to portions located on the principal surface 10 a, 10 b, of the external electrodes 13, 14 on the principal surface 10 a or principal surface 10 b of the ceramic body 10, the distances are measured from the position of the maximum thickness in the height direction T for each of the portions located on the principal surface 10 a, 10 b, to the position of the maximum thickness in the length direction L for the external electrode 13, 14 on the end surface 10 e or end surface 10 f of the ceramic body 10. Then, the average for the respective measurement values is regarded as the E dimension.

(2) Method of e Dimension Measurement

In order to measure the e dimension, the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is polished in the length direction L until the dimension in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½, and the polished surface is subjected to measurement with an optical microscope. Specifically, the distances are measured from the position of the maximum thickness in the length direction L for the external electrode 13, 14 located on the end surface 10 e or end surface 10 f of the ceramic body 10, to edge ends of portions located on the principal surface 10 a, 10 b, of the external electrodes 13, 14 located on the principal surface 10 a or principal surface 10 b of the ceramic body 10. Then, the average for the respective measurement values is regarded as the e dimension.

As just described, the formation is preferably achieved so that the ratio E/e is about 0.243 or more and about 0.757 or less. Thus, the stress concentration which is generated at corners of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is significantly reduced or prevented. As a result, it becomes possible to suppress or prevent peeling that is generated between the corners of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 and the resin in the embedding concave portion for the capacitor, which is provided in the multilayer printed wiring board.

Further, methods for making an adjustment so that the ratio E/e preferably is about 0.243 or more and about 0.757 or less include, for example, the following method. The ratio E/e can be adjusted by adjusting the rheology of the conductive paste to define the first and second base layers 13 a, 14 a, applying surface treatment to the ceramic body 10, or applying the conductive paste more than once.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the maximum thickness and average thickness of a portion of the first external electrode 13 located on the principal surfaces 10 a, 10 b of the ceramic body 10 are denoted respectively by D_(max) and D_(ave), the condition expression of D_(ave)×250%≧D_(max)≧D_(ave)×120% is preferably satisfied. Likewise, when the maximum thickness and average thickness of a portion of the second external electrode 14 located on the principal surfaces 10 a, 10 b of the ceramic body 10 are denoted respectively by D_(max) and D_(ave), the condition expression of D_(ave)×250%≧D_(max)≧D_(ave)×120% is preferably satisfied.

It is to be noted that the maximum thickness D_(max) and the average thickness D_(ave) are measured by polishing the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in the length direction L until the dimension in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½, and observing the polished surface with an optical microscope. Specifically, the thicknesses are measured by the following methods.

(1) Method of D_(max) Measurement

In order to measure the maximum thickness D_(max), the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is polished in the length direction L until the dimension in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½, and the polished surface is subjected to measurement with an optical microscope. Specifically, the thicknesses of the thickest portions in the height direction T for each of portions of the external electrodes 13, 14 located on the principal surface 10 a or the principal surface 10 b are measured for the measurement of the maximum thickness D_(max). Then, the average for the measurement values is regarded as the maximum thickness D_(max)

(2) Method of D_(ave) Measurement

In order to measure the average thickness D_(ave), the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is polished in the length direction L until reaching about ½ of the dimension in the width direction W, and the polished surface is subjected to measurement with an optical microscope. Specifically, the thicknesses in the height direction T for ten equal portions obtained by dividing, in the length direction L, each of the parts of the external electrodes 13, 14 located on the principal surface 10 a or the principal surface 10 b are measured for the measurement of the average thickness D_(ave). Then, the average for the measurement values is regarded as D_(ave).

When the condition expression of D_(ave)×250%≧D_(max)≧D_(ave)×120% is satisfied, the portions of the external electrodes 13, 14 located on the principal surfaces 10 a, 10 b are increased in thickness, and the portions of the external electrodes 13, 14 located on the principal surfaces 10 a, 10 b define and function as cushioning materials, and disperse the mounting load (stress) applied to the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in suctioning the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 with an suction nozzle of a mounting machine (mounter) or pushing the capacitor into a multilayer printed wiring board. As a result, the generation of breakages and cracks is reduced or prevented without concentrating the mounting load (stress) on portions of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 with mechanical strength decreased.

It is to be noted that the maximum thickness D_(max) and the average thickness D_(ave) is controlled by adjusting the pull-up rate after dipping the ceramic body 10 in the conductive paste. The pull-up rate after dipping the ceramic body 10 in the conductive paste is able to be adjusted to, for example, about 20 mm/min or more and about 1000 mm/min or less. The viscosity of the conductive paste is preferably about 10 Pa·s or more and about 100 Pa·s or less.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, the plated layers 13 b, 14 b each preferably include a laminate body including two layers of Cu plated films. In this case, ingress of the Cu metal of each Cu plated film of the laminate body into the base layer 13 a, 14 a, from the surface layer of the base layer 13 a, 14 a even to the position of about ⅓ or more the thickness of the base layer 13 a, 14 a may occur. It is to be noted that in regard to the ingress of the metal of the plated film into the base layer 13 a, 14 a, when the side surface (surface LT) of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is polished in the length direction L to about ½ the dimension in the width direction W, and when a line is drawn along a portion of about ⅓ in height from the surface layer of the base layer 13 a, 14 a in any observation visual view of 30 μm in x-axis and about 30 μm in y-axis at the polished surface, including the base layer 13 a, 14 a located on the principal surface of the ceramic body, the metal of the plated film is preferably present in an amount of about 30% or more with respect to the total proportion of the metal of the base layer 13 a, 14 a and plated film on the line.

Each Cu plated film is preferably formed with the use of a pyrophosphoric acid Cu plating solution or a cyanide Cu plating solution. These plating solutions with high glass erosion capability, efficiently dissolve the glass contained in the base layer 13 a, 14 a, thus making ingress of the Cu metal of the Cu plated film likely to be caused into the base layer 13 a, 14 a. For this reason, the content rate of Cu is likely to be high in the base layers 13 a, 14 a.

The glass contained in the base layers 13 a, 14 a preferably contains BaO in an amount of about 10 weight % or more and about 50 weight % or less, SrO in an amount of about 10 weight % or more and about 50 weight % or less, B₂O₃ in an amount of about 3 weight % or more and about 30 weight % or less, and SiO₂ in an amount of about 3 weight % or more and about 30 weight % or less. In this case, the glass contained in the base layers 13 a, 14 a is more easily dissolved in pyrophosphoric acid Cu plating solutions and cyanide Cu plating solutions.

It is to be noted that whether the ingress of the Cu metal of the Cu plated film into the base layers 13 a, 14 a is caused or not can be confirmed by polishing the side surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 in the length direction L until the dimension in the width direction W is reduced down to about ½, and observing the polished surface with an optical microscope. Specifically, the portion of the external electrode 13 located over the first principal surface 10 a is determined as “yes” in the case of ingress of the metal of the Cu plated film into the base layer 13 a from the surface layer of the base layer 13 a even to the position of about ⅓ or more the thickness of the base layer 13 a, or determined as “no” in the case of no ingress from the surface layer of the base layer 13 a to the position of about ⅓ or more the thickness of the base layer 13 a.

Furthermore, the metal thicknesses of the external electrodes 13, 14 are preferably about 8.7 μm or more and about 13.9 μm or less. The metal thickness refers to a value obtained by measuring the thickness of the metal with a fluorescent X-ray film thickness meter (SFT-9400 from Seiko Instruments Inc.), and converting the measured X-ray Cu amount into a film thickness. In regard to the measurement point, for example, in the center in planar view of the portion of the external electrode 13 located over the first principal surface 10 a, the measurement can be made.

The pyrophosphoric acid Cu plating solution and the cyanide Cu plating solution have high glass erosion capability, and efficiently dissolve the glass contained in the base layers 13 a, 14 a. For this reason, the use of the pyrophosphoric acid Cu plating solution or cyanide Cu plating solution easily causes ingress of the Cu metal of the Cu plated film into the base layer 13 a, 14 a. Therefore, the content rate of Cu in the base layers 13 a, 14 a is greatly improved.

In the case of the formation that causes ingress of the Cu metal of the Cu plated film into the base layer 13 a, 14 a from the surface layer of the base layer 13 a, 14 a to the position of about ⅓ or more the thickness of the base layer 13 a, 14 a, the Cu content rate is high in the base layers 13 a, 14 a. Accordingly, in combination with the base layers 13 a, 14 a and Cu plated films in total, the content rate of Cu per unit thickness is increased to improve the thermal conductivity (heat release performance) of the base layers 13 a, 14 a, and increase the laser resistance of the external electrodes 13, 14.

Furthermore, in the case of the formation that causes ingress of the Cu metal of the Cu plated film into the base layer 13 a, 14 a from the surface layer of the base layer 13 a, 14 a to the position of about ⅓ or more the thickness of the base layer 13 a, 14 a, the difference in level between the surface of the multilayer printed wiring board and the surfaces of the external electrodes 13, 14 are reduced because the external electrodes 13, 14 are reduced in thickness. As a result, the gap between the surface of the multilayer printed wiring board and the mounting surface of the ceramic body 10 is narrowed to make peeling less likely to be caused between the multilayer printed wiring board and the external electrodes 13, 14 and also improve the mechanical strength of the component.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES

A plurality of non-limiting experimental examples of multilayer ceramic capacitors (approximate target dimensions: 0.1 mm in length dimension, 0.5 mm in width dimension, 0.2 mm in height dimension) configured in substantially the same fashion as the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 were prepared with the conditions shown in Table 1 in accordance with the manufacturing method described above. The reactive layer was a ceramic crystal layer containing about 5 mol % to about 15 mol % of Ti, about 5 mol % to about 15 mol % of Si, and about 2 mol % to about 10 mol % of V. FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional photograph of the reactive layer.

The contents for each composition of the respective layers were measured by examining all of the elements with the use of FE-WDX analysis. The respective samples were prepared under substantially the same conditions, except for varying only the parameters shown in the respective tables.

Next, the samples prepared were subjected to the following fixing strength test. First, the samples were mounted onto a specified test substrate with a conductive adhesive, and an end surface of the chip was pushed with a lateral pushing test machine. In that regard, the samples with a defect of electrode peeling were determined as “×”, whereas a cohesive fracture mode of the conductive adhesive, a fracture mode of the ceramic body, and a peeling mode at the interface between the conductive adhesive and the Cu plating were determined as “◯”. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

Furthermore, a deflective strength test was carried out in the following manner. With a three-point bending tester, a presser was put against the centers of the samples from the side surface to gradually apply a load, and confirm the fracture mode when the samples were fractured. A ceramic centrally cracked mode of the ceramic body centrally cracked was determined as “◯”, whereas an electrode end cracked mode of the ceramic body with an external electrode end cracked was determined as “×”. This deflective strength test was applied to five samples, and even when one of the samples resulted in “×”, the determination of × was made.

It is to be noted that the results shown in Table 1 correspond to results obtained when the V content rate was adjusted to about 5 atomic %. The results shown in Table 2 correspond to results obtained when the content rates of Si and Ti were both adjusted to about 5 atomic %.

The results shown in Table 3 correspond to results obtained when the composition of the reactive layer was adjusted to Ti: about 10 mol %, Si: about 5 mol %, and V: about 5 mol %.

Further, the firing temperature was about 700° C. when no reactive layer was formed. The firing temperature was about 730° C. when the reactive layer was about 0.1 μm. The firing temperature was about 750° C. when the reactive layer was about 0.5 μm. The firing temperature was 780° C. when the reactive layer was about 1 μm. The firing temperature was about 850° C. when the reactive layer was about 5 μm. The firing temperature was 900° C. when the reactive layer was about 10 μm. As just described, the thickness of the reactive layer can be controlled by varying the firing temperature.

TABLE 1 Ti Content (atomic %) 2 5 15 20 Si Content 2 x x x — (atomic %) 5 x ∘ ∘ x 15 x ∘ ∘ x 20 — x x —

TABLE 2 V Content (atomic %) 1% 2% 5% 10% Determination x ∘ ∘ ∘

TABLE 3 Thickness of Reactive Layer (μm) 0 0.1 0.5 1 5 10 Fixing Strength Evaluation 5/5 4/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 (The Number of x Samples/The Total Number of Samples) Deflective Strength Evaluation ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ x

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising: a ceramic body including first and second principal surfaces extending in a length direction and a width direction, first and second side surfaces extending in the length direction and a thickness direction, and first and second end surfaces extending in the width direction and the thickness direction; a first internal electrode extending in the length direction and the width direction, provided in the ceramic body, and exposed at the first end surface; a second internal electrode extending in the length direction and the width direction, provided in the ceramic body, exposed at the second end surface, and the second internal electrode facing the first internal electrode in the height direction with a ceramic portion interposed therebetween; a first external electrode provided over the first end surface, and over a portion of each of the first and second principal surfaces; and a second external electrode provided over the second end surface, and over a portion of each of the first and second principal surfaces; wherein the first and second external electrodes each includes a base layer provided over the ceramic body and containing a metal and glass, and a Cu plated layer provided over the base layer; and a boundary layer is provided between the base layer and the ceramic body, the boundary layer containing about 5 mol % to about 15 mol % of Ti, about 5 mol % to about 15 mol % of Si, and about 2 mol % to about 10 mol % of V.
 2. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the boundary layer is about 0.5 μm to about 5 μm in maximum thickness.
 3. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the glass contains at least one of B₂O₃ and SiO₂ and at least one of Al₂O₃, ZnO, CuO, Li₂O, Na₂O, K₂O, MgO, CaO, BaO, ZrO₂, SrO, V₂O₅, and TiO₂.
 4. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 3, wherein the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm to about 1.1 mm in length dimension, about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm in width dimension, and about 0.085 mm to about 0.15 mm in height dimension.
 5. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm to about 1.1 mm in length dimension, about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm in width dimension, and about 0.085 mm to about 0.15 mm in height dimension.
 6. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the height of an effective portion that is a portion of the ceramic body where the first and second internal electrodes overlap each other in the height direction is referred to as A in the height direction; and the height of a first outer layer portion that is a portion of the ceramic body located between the first principal surface and the effective portion is referred to as B in the height direction; and the height of a second outer layer portion that is a portion of the ceramic body located between the second principal surface and the effective portion is referred to as C in the height direction; each of ratios A/B and A/C is within the range of about 0.5 to about
 16. 7. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, and about 0.085 mm or more and about 0.11 mm or less in a dimension in height dimension; a maximum distance from the first principal surface to an internal electrode closest to the first principal surface among the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode in the height direction is referred to as T_(MAX); and a minimum distance from the first principal surface to the internal electrode closest to the first principal surface in the height direction is referred to as T_(MIN); and a ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T is about 1.0% to about 5.0%.
 8. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, and about 0.12 mm or more and about 0.15 mm or less in a dimension in height dimension; a maximum distance from the first principal surface to an internal electrode closest to the first principal surface among the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode in the height direction is referred to as T_(MAX); and a minimum distance from the first principal surface to the internal electrode closest to the first principal surface in the height direction is referred to as T_(MIN), and a ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T is about 1.3% to about 5.3%.
 9. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, and about 0.18 mm or more and about 0.20 mm or less in a dimension in height dimension; a maximum distance from the first principal surface to an internal electrode closest to the first principal surface among the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode in the height direction is referred to as T_(MAX); and a minimum distance from the first principal surface to the internal electrode closest to the first principal surface in the height direction is referred to as T_(MIN); and a ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T is about 1.5% to about 5.0%.
 10. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, and 0.21 mm or more and 0.23 mm or less in a dimension in height dimension, a maximum distance from the first principal surface to an internal electrode closest to the first principal surface among the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode in the height direction is referred to as T_(MAX); a minimum distance from the first principal surface to the internal electrode closest to the first principal surface in the height direction is referred to as T_(MIN); and a ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T is about 1.8% to about 5.9%.
 11. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the multilayer ceramic capacitor is about 0.9 mm or more and about 1.1 mm or less in length dimension, about 0.4 mm or more and about 0.6 mm or less in width dimension, and about 0.024 mm or more and about 0.30 mm or less in a dimension in height dimension; a maximum distance from the first principal surface to an internal electrode closest to the first principal surface among the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode in the height direction is referred to as T_(MAX); a minimum distance from the first principal surface to the internal electrode closest to the first principal surface in the height direction is referred to as T_(MIN); and a ratio (T_(MAX)−T_(MIN))/T is about 1.2% to about 6.0%.
 12. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a distance in the length direction from a position of a surface at a maximum dimension in the height direction of the first external electrode on the first principal surface to a position of a surface at a maximum dimension of the first external electrode in the length direction on the first end surface is referred to as E; and a distance in the length direction from the position of the surface at the maximum dimension on the first end surface to an edge end of the external electrode on the first principal surface is referred to as e; a ratio E/e is about 0.243 or more and about 0.757 or less.
 13. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a maximum thickness and an average thickness of a portion of the first external electrode located on the first principal surface are denoted respectively by D_(max) and D_(ave); and D_(ave)×250%≧D_(max)≧D_(ave)×120% is satisfied.
 14. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a height dimension of the ceramic body is DT, a length dimension of the ceramic body is DL, and a width dimension of the ceramic body is DW, and a relationship ( 1/7)DW≦DT≦(¼)DW is satisfied.
 15. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a height dimension of the ceramic body is DT and a relationship DT<about 0.15 mm is satisfied.
 16. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic portion is about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm in height.
 17. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein each of the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode is about 0.2 μm to about 2 μm in height.
 18. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the base layer is about 1 μm to about 20 μm in thickness.
 19. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the Cu plated layer is about 1 μm to about 10 μm in thickness.
 20. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the Cu plated layer includes a plurality of plated films. 